Fall Previews 7 of 63: Arkansas State

Arkansas State:

Head Coach: Blake Anderson
2014 Record: (7-6, 5-3 T-4/Sun Belt)
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: Multiple
Starters Returning: 14
Offense (9): Jemar Clark (Jr., OL), Michael Gordon (Sr., RB), Darion Griswold (Sr., TE), Tres Houston (Sr., WR), Colton Jackson (Jr., OL), Fredi Knighten (Sr., QB), J.D. McKissic (Sr., WR), Devin Mondie (Jr., OL), Dijon Paschal (So., WR).
Defense (5): Money Hunter (Jr., S), Chuks Ota (So., DL), Ja’Von Rolland-Jones (So., DE), Chris Stone (Sr., DE), Xavier Woodson (Jr., LB).

Offense: 

Fredi Knighten

The Red Wolves have one of the best quarterbacks in the nation coming back for his senior season in senior Fredi Knighten (211/779/11TD rushing, 269-432/3,277/24TD). The 5-11, 189 pound dual threat quarterback was a 1st team All-Sun Belt honoree in 2014 at quarterback and is a preseason 1st team All-Sun Belt member this fall. Knighten has also been named to the Weurffel, Maxwell, and O'Brien Award Watch Lists for the 2015 season. Redshirt sophomore Cameron Birse seems to be the consensus pick to back up Knighten with redshirt freshman James Tabary as well as incoming freshmen Tajhea Chambers and D.J. Pearson all trying to find their way within the program. One thing is clear at quarterback for Arkansas State; Knighten's health is essential for the Red Wolves to compete for a Sun Belt title in 2015.

Life is good for Arkansas State at the running back position with senior Michael Gordon (159/1,100/13TD) back for one more year in Jonesboro. The 5-9, 187 pound running back was a 2nd team All-Sun Belt honoree in 2014 and has been tabbed to that same honor for the upcoming 2015 season as well as making the Doak Walker Award Watch List. Gordon is a multipurpose back with 25 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown in addition to his rushing totals last season, making him an every down back despite his size. Redshirt sophomore Johnston White (95/514/6TD) came on for the Red Wolves backing up Gordon in 2014 with an impressive season that solidified his chance to see more playing time this fall. Sophomore Terrance Hollingsworth (38/101/1TD) and Junior DeKeathan Williams (11/50/1TD) are the only other running backs expected to see much playing time in the offensive backfield for last season's 27th ranked rushing attack.

The Red Wolves have been able to improve the talent level at tight end in recent years with senior Darion Griswold (18/221/4TD) expected to have a big 2015 season. The preseason 2nd team All-Sun Belt honoree has been named to the Mackey Award Watch List for best tight end in the nation. Second team tight end Warren Leapheart (2/4/2TD) has the rarest of stat lines from last season with two catches for only four yards but both going for touchdowns. Expect Leapheart to increase his pass catching total although every catch is not expected to go for a touchdown this fall. Redshirt sophomores Jerry Moorehead and Brandon Brockman will see limited time on offense but should be able to help out on special teams this fall.

With senior J.D. McKissic (52/629/0TD) back at full strength after an injury plagued 2014 season, the Red Wolves seem to have the best wide receiver corps in the Sun Belt. McKissic, a preseason 1st Team All-Sun Belt honoree, missed significant time to injuries which gave senior Tres Houston (53/685/4TD) a chance to shine and the 6-2 receiver took advantage to the tune of Honorable mention All-Sun Belt honors in 2014. Rounding out the starting trio is redshirt sophomore Dijon Paschal (37/642/4TD). The 2014 Sun Belt All Newcomer Team honoree gave Arkansas State a true deep threat with a 17.2 yards per catch average, the best of any Red Wolf with 10+ catches. The starting trio combined for 142 catches, 1,956 yards, and 8 touchdowns last season. Imagine how the numbers could look if McKissic can stay healthy all season in 2015. Junior Booker Mays (20/325/4TD), senior Tyler Trosin (13/135/1TD), and Blake Mack (7/149/1TD) round out a group of six wide receivers that are just as good as any six lined up by and Group of Five team.

Colton Jackson

If there is a weakness to the Arkansas State offense heading into the 2015 season, it would be on the offensive line. Preseason 2nd team All-Sun Belt honoree and right tackle Colton Jackson (26 career starts) leads an offensive line that returns three players that made 12+ starts last fall. Jackson has started every game in his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons and could easily break 50 starts before his career with the Red Wolves is over. Left tackle Jemar Clark (12 career starts) is a massive human being that improved significantly throughout the 2014 season and is a great college tackle but has the chance to be an excellent guard in the NFL. Rounding out the trio of returning starters is redshirt sophomore Devin Mondie (12 career starts) at left guard. Senior Kyle Harris waited his turn last fall and should be able to come in and claim the spot at center after making one start in the 2014 season. Right guard is the only real position of question for the Red Wolves with JUCO transfers Joseph Bacchus and Brandon Berg (center) fighting for playing time and one of them expected to get slotted in the position. Highly rated freshmen Cameron Davis and  Dalton Ford are expected to force the Arkansas State coaching staff into playing time though in a perfect world, both would be redshirted with a chance to get used to the college level of play before being thrust into action.

**h/t to Howl Yes @HowYes for information about starting battle at center.

Defense: 

Injuries may have been a blessing in disguise for Arkansas State on the defensive line in 2014 as several players earned significant playing time with virtually the entire group back this fall. Redshirt sophomore Ja'Von Rolland-Jones (30 tkl, 12 tfl, 8 sacks) came out of nowhere to earn 2nd team All-Sun Belt honors in 2014 at defensive end while being tagged to the preseason 1st team All-Sun Belt team this fall. One the other side of the line, senior Chris Stone (48 tkl, 10 tfl, 7.5 sacks) was able to parlay his Honorable mention All-Sun Belt honors in 2014 into also being named to the preseason 1st team All-Sun Belt team this fall as well as on the Lombardi Award Watch List. That puts both defensive ends on the  four man defensive front preseason first teamers. Rounding out the starting four is sophomore Chuks Ota (22 tkl, 3 tfl, 1.5 sacks) manning the middle at nose guard and redshirt junior Darrius Rosser (15 tkl, 5 tfl, 0.5 sacks) taking the open defensive tackle spot. Both are 285 pound locomotives in the middle of the Red Wolves defense that may not put up numbers as good at the defensive end duo but clog up the middle of the line, forcing the opposing offense out of its comfort zone. Defensive end backups Carderious Dean (9 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack) and sophomore Caleb Caston (11 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 2 sacks) will see playing time in the defensive line rotation and proved that they deserve a spot on the field heading into the 2015 season. Backup interior linemen Chris Odom (14 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack) and Clifford Thomas (15 tkl, 1 tfl) should also find their way into the rotation and see significant playing time for the Red Wolves this fall.

Linebacker is a position of concern for the Red Wolves heading into the 2015 season as only junior Xavier Woodson (95 tkl, 9 tfl, 4 sacks) made any starts in the 2014 season. The weakside linebacker was second on the team in tackles in 2014 and was named to the Honorable mention All-Sun Belt team while earning preseason 1st team All-Sun Belt honors for the upcoming season. Senior Austin Copeland (24 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 sacks), junior Quanterio Heath (12 tkl), and sophomore Khari Lain (6 tkl) all have previous game experience at linebacker. Incoming freshmen Justin Clifton and Kirk Louis could force themselves into playing time due to the severe lack of able bodies at linebacker heading into the fall.

Money Hunter

Another position group decimated by graduation is the Arkansas State defensive backfield.
Junior Money Hunter (65 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack, 2 INT) is the only returning starter in the secondary that made double digit starts in 2014 from his strong safety position and will be depended upon for his leadership and talent in the upcoming season. Senior cornerback Rocky Hayes (24 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack, 1 INT) has high expectations this fall and has been named to the preseason 2nd team All-Sun Belt team at cornerback. Hayes did make three starts in 2014 and scored a defensive touchdown for the Red Wolves. At the other cornerback spot, sophomore Blaise Taylor will be expected to translate his electric ability in the return game into play on the defensive side of the ball. Chris Humes (8 tkl, 1 ff) and Jamaris Hart (4 tkl) should be capable backups at cornerback. With Arkansas State expected to show more of a nickel base package in 2015, seeing how Sterling Wright (24 tkl, 2 tfl) and Charleston Girley (21 tkl, 3 tfl, 1.5 sacks) are used this fall will be important for the defense. Both should see the field and be able to give some stability to a Red Wolves secondary that is experiencing lots of changes this fall. Charles Grant (7 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack), Nehemiah Wagner (2 tkl), Charles Gaskin (1 tkl), Mark Johnson (3 tkl) and Raziel Velgis all need to step up and give the Red Wolves depth in the secondary this fall.

Special Teams: 

The Red Wolves are solid on special teams for one more year with kicker/punter/kickoff specialist/do it all senior Luke Ferguson back for 2015. Ferguson, a preseason 2nd team All-Sun Belt selection, was 8-15 on field goal attempts with a 5-6 accuracy inside 30 yards, 3-9 from 30+ yards, a long of 46 yards, and 36-42 on PAT attempts. The senior also punted the ball 56 times for a 41.4 average, a long of 69, 22 inside the 20, and five over 50 yards. Ferguson also had 80 kickoffs with 35 ending up as touchbacks and is named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List. Senior Logan Spry could take over the field goal duties after a 2014 season that saw him go 3-3 on field goal attempts with a long of 31 yards and 16-18 on PAT attempts.

Overall:  

Arkansas State has built a program in the last few seasons that does not hope to go to a bowl but expects trips to bowl as well as conference titles. The Red Wolves have made the GoDaddy Bowl four straight times with three Sun Belt Conference titles since the 2011 season. Expectations are high for the 2015 season despite a disappointing 7-6 record and loss to Toledo in the GoDaddy Bowl.

The Red Wolves are going all out on the non-conference slate to start the season with a cross country trip to USC followed by SEC East reigning champs Missouri to start the season. Neither of these opening two games seem very winnable for Arkansas State, especially with a defense that is needing to improve significantly this fall. After starting the season 0-2, The Red Wolves will get a much needed win over FCS foe Missouri State to go to 1-2 on the season before looking for revenge over a 63-44 loss to Toledo last season. This game looks to be another MAC-Sun Belt shootout and I would not be surprised to see the Red Wolves and Rockets put up 40+ a piece again this fall. I just don't think Arkansas State has enough defense to slow down Toledo, knocking them down to 1-3 heading into conference play.

Lets get the easy ones out of the way and assume that Arkansas State defeats Idaho, Georgia State, Monroe, and New Mexico State. Those four wins would give the Red Wolves five on the season and needing most likely two more wins to get to seven wins and another bowl berth. Here is where the tricky part of the schedule comes into play as South Alabama should be a win but Louisiana, Appalachian State, and Texas State are anything but guarantees.

The Ragin' Cajuns come to Jonesboro with the two teams splitting the last four meetings at 2-2. Louisiana has won each of the last two meetings and seems to be able to exploit the defensive issues of Arkansas State with a very strong rushing attack. It should be a hard fought game that could easily be one of the best Sun Belt games of the 2015 season but I have to go with the Ragin' Cajuns to extend the winning streak to three games.

The two biggest swing games of the season come in the final four weeks of the season with a trip to Appalachian State and a visit from Texas State. Arkansas State has to still be smarting over the lass to the Mountaineers in 2014 after holding a 20-6 lead before giving up 31 straight points in route to a 37-32 loss. The Red Wolves defense must figure out how to slow down the Appalachian State rushing attack as it gouged them to the tune of 294 yards on the ground. This game is honestly a coin flip at this point and I will give it to Arkansas State for the revenge factor. Texas State also has the trait, rushing the football well, that the Red Wolves struggle against. The Bobcats had their way in the trenches with 370 yards on the ground in the blowout win over Arkansas State. Just for the simple fact that Texas State matches up poorly for Arkansas State, I expect the Bobcats to show 2014 was not a fluke and pull out a road win over Arkansas State. Prediction: 7-5 and a bowl berth.